THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: By denying seats to K.R. Gowri Amma’s JSS and P. .C. George the CPM seems to have sent across a message that it is comfortably placed and confident of pulling off a victory in coming Assembly elections.
On March 5, the 97-year-old Gowri Amma walked into the AKG Centre after 22 years seeking five seats for her fledgling party. While the warmth shown by top leaders including Pinarayi Vijayan and Kodiyeri Balakrishnan in welcoming the veteran leader then hinted that CPM was keen to accommodate her, in the final analysis the Marxists felt the JSS was not even fit for contesting from a single seat.
LDF sources said despite Gowri Amma’s stature, it was doubtful that her party was in a position to pull of a victory in any of the constituencies demanded by her. In a do or die electoral battle, giving away seats to a party which cannot ensure victory, might prove detrimental to the LDF, they added.
In P C George’s case the CPM leadership was firm on not fielding him. When asked about George’s remark that he was betrayed by a section of CPM leaders, Pinarayi Vijayan said: “We have not betrayed anyone. Those who have worked with us will never have such a perception,” he added.
Political observers say that the CPM is wary of George’s company because of his past track record. “Today he is with you but you never know where he will be tomorrow,” said a leader
